Ottawa (Canada)—The National Arts Centre (NAC) is very proud to announce that Glenn Gould’s favorite piano for many years, Steinway CD 318, will be on permanent display to the public as of June 20, 2012. A permanent exhibition about Gould’s extraordinary career will include the award-winning film by Canadian Directors Peter Raymont and Michèle Hozer entitled, “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould.”

The piano and Gould’s well-known folding chair were acquired from Glenn Gould’s Estate by Library and Archives Canada when Canada’s most celebrated classical pianist of the 20^th Century passed away in 1982. Late last year, Library and Archives Canada generously offered to transfer both historic artifacts to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

“Library and Archives Canada is pleased that these Canadian artifacts of value have found a permanent and appropriate home at the National Arts Centre where they will be on display for all to appreciate,” said Dr. Daniel J. Caron, Deputy Head and Librarian and Archivist of Canada. “The transfer of Glenn Gould’s Steinway and his famous chair is an excellent illustration of how, by working together, Canadian cultural institutions can better preserve Canada’s heritage for the benefit of all Canadians.”

One of Canada’s brightest young musical talents Jan Lisiecki will be the first to perform on CD 318 in its new home on the Mezzanine level of the National Arts Centre. Mr. Lisiecki is 17 and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music at the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto on a full scholarship.

“We are very thankful for this rare musical gift from Library and Archives Canada,” said the Acting President and CEO of the NAC Christopher Deacon. “Everyone wanted CD 318 to be displayed in a public place for Canadians to enjoy. It’s an incredible honour for the NAC and makes a beautiful companion piece to our Oscar Peterson sculpture. Now we have two of Canada’s greatest pianists honoured here.”

Glenn Gould’s piano and chair are significant cultural artifacts and are expected to draw thousands of Canadians to the NAC each year. The piano will be exhibited permanently at NAC, the chair will only be displayed on special occasions.

In 1953, Glenn Gould’s father, Bert Gould customized a light-weight, wooden folding chair for Glenn to use at the piano. Glenn Gould travelled with this chair around the world and used it for every concert or recording session he played. Gould discovered the piano, Steinway CD 318 in 1960 at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto. The piano was almost 20 years old, but that didn’t matter to Gould.

“He was constantly searching for the perfect piano and instantly fell in love with it,” said NAC Archivist Gerry Grace. “Steinway CD 318 was possibly the most important piano in Glenn Gould’s career. He recorded and performed extensively on it.”

The installation of the piano was made possible through a generous gift from Toronto’s Phil and Eli Taylor. Media are invited to attend an open rehearsal with the newly installed piano on Wednesday, June 20^th at the NAC. An exhibition of artifacts from Gould’s life will be on display that day courtesy of Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

What: Open Rehearsal with Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki on CD 318

Where: The Mezzanine of the National Arts Centre

When: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

Tweet: #GlennGouldpiano @CanadasNAC

To download photos of Glenn Gould, please click on the following links:

 Glenn_Gould_Photo © V. Tony Hauser.jpg

Glenn_Gould_1_Photo  Don Hunstein  © Sony Music Entertainment.jpg

Glenn_Gould_2_Photo  Don Hunstein  © Sony Music Entertainment.jpg

Glenn_Gould_3_Photo  Don Hunstein  © Sony Music Entertainment.jpg

Glenn_Gould_4_Photo  Don Hunstein  © Sony Music Entertainment.jpg

Representatives from the National Arts Centre, Library and Archives Canada, the Museum of Civilization and the Glenn Gould Estate and will be on hand for interviews following the rehearsal.

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For more information please contact:

 Rosemary Thompson

Director of Communications

National Arts Centre

(613) 947-7000 ext 260

rosemary.thompson@nac-cna.ca